smaller boat sitting on top of small boat ??

[zurk]

Looking to add my inflatable SIB which is 10.5ft and weighs in at 150lbs or so to the roof of my hardtop on my 16ft aluminum boat upside down. I know the roof can support it as I have climbed up there and its rated for 300lbs and I can extend the roof with a bolt on bracket using a quick release pin which will go thru the bench seats on my inflatable and secure it nicely. not worried about looks or the inflatable flying off but am worried about increasing/raising the center of gravity of my aluminum which weighs 700lbs dry (hull weight) without engine (engine is another 400lbs+300lbs or so gear/fuel).
will 150lbs on my hardtop roof cause my aluminum boat to become top heavy and cause problems in rough seas ? hardtop is about 5 ft high above the boat sides.
Specs of the aluminum boat are : Beam 6'-9", Freeboard 28", Deadrise 18°, Hull (lbs) 700, Bottom 3/16" x 6'-0 5086, Side 1/8" 5052.
im basically going to be using the inflatable as a lifeboat in an emergency so i would rather carry it inflated on the roof out of the way then stuffed into a bag and rolled up near the front seats which then requires 5-10min for inflation in an emergency.
any thoughts ?

 

[Ranchero50]

I would go another route. If you are going to be in water where you feel the need to have a fully inflated lift raft while running a 16' hull IMHO you are either in the wrong boat or on the wrong water.

For practical purposes, what are the other boaters in your area doing? Have you ever seen a setup like you are contemplating?

To me, rebuilding you main hull to be self baling and self righting so it is your life boat is a lot better idea than having to get some heavy monstrosity off the roof of your hard top in the middle of a storm during a capsize event.

 

[zurk]

other boats in my area are large ships with multiple inflated life rafts. cant really compare the 16 footer to the usual 87,000 ton 600 ft long ferry boats that go the same areas. This si the area i usually go : https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/BC_Ferries_Zone_One.png
Self righting i looked at but a powerboat being self righting is not realistic - you need a sealed hardtop cabin for that and i cant possibly do it on my 16 footer. it has the usual foam flotation obviously.
The boat is fine for the waters but if i sudden tide or storm whips up i want to have a backup when i need it and not just rely on wet suits and PFDs which we have already.

 

[Ranchero50]

Post up some pics of your boat...

 

[zurk]

Here you go...

 

[Ranchero50]

That's a good looking critter. I still don't know about a roof mounted inflatable. Maybe ask these guys as they run similar hulls in the PNW

https://aluminumalloyboats.com/index.php

 

[earl60446]

Good looking boat, definitely a step or two above most of the boats on this forum. Your plan sounds like it will work
if you can really fit it up there. Quick and easy on the way down is what counts. I have been in a sinking boat on large water, it happens very quick.
Tim

 

[Zum]

There is self inflating life rafts that don't use much space.
They have to be certified ever couple years but all lobster boats here have to have them.